Anyway, the two names in the news this morning: Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

Now, I know that we live in an “instant analysis” society, but I would like to see the unveiling of the report, and hear some of the questions that George Mitchell and commissioner Bud Selig answer, and hear reactions throughout the league before I form an educated opinion.

That said, I can tell you this: Clemens’ name has been whispered in off-the-record, steroid-related discussions for years, and if, indeed, he cheated his way to his phenomenal numbers, then his achievements deserve the same asterisk that Barry Bonds’ supposedly do. In fact, I would argue that Clemens might deserve the Mark McGwire treatment, because who knows how many years, victories and strikeouts were added to Clemens’ career because of performance enhancers.

As for Pettitte, his name was not heard nearly as much in private circles, at least by me, but again, nothing should be a surprise. And since Clemens and Pettitte train together, it would only make sense that their names are linked together.

One other thing as we sit here less than an hour from the release of more names. If Mitchell’s report tells us nothing more than the fact that there was a serious drug culture “from top to bottom” in baseball, then the approximately $20 million spent ($1 million per month) on the Mitchell Report was money wasted. After all, we’ve all known — at least those of us not playing ostrich — that such a culture has existed for years. Players acknowledged it in private conversations. So did executives, scouts, managers, you name it.

However, if this serves as an epiphany for the industry that such a culture should not be tolerated, then every cent was worth it. Baseball has been operating in denial for years, not that a problem didn’t exist, but that nothing really needed to be done about it.

rhurd

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I’ve always said Roger Clemens used steroids, his head is just as big as Bonds. Yet I’ve already heard people softening their stance on the drug now.

People claiming he (Clemens)never tested positive, well !! neither has Bonds. Ignorant people are funny as it relates to their biased opinions, usually based on race, and or their hatred of another mans superiority.